KK Downing Quits Judas Priest was a top 11 story of 2011 for April. Here is the recap: (Rock AAA) In a shock announcement Judas Priest have announced the retirement of original guitarist KK Downing just weeks ahead of their farewell "Epitaph Tour" which kicks off in Tilburg, Holland on June 3Downing was part of the classic Priest line-up and combined with fellow axeman Glenn Tipton to create the band's legendary twin guitar attack. Downing's departure was announced in a statement released today (April 20) via the bands official website "Having thought long and hard about how to proceed, Rob, Glenn, Ian and Scott unanimously agreed that they should go ahead with the tour and not let the fans down all around the world.
"Fate has also stepped in and delivered the perfect replacement – 31 year old British guitar player Richie Faulkner – he has blended perfectly into the band and is a great talent who is going to help set the stage on fire." -
This Thanksgiving weekend we are looking back at the top 11 Day in Rock stories for each month of 2011. See the other Top 11 of 11 stories here
